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Become A FanThe Secret to Good Hair DaysCaring for your scalp is essential to having healthy,
attention-getting hair. Here, are tips on how to keep your
scalp healthy so your hair will grow faster, stronger, and
more beautiful.
The Root of Great HairIt�s easy to forget that under all your hair is skin that
needs care and attention � just like the rest of your skin.
Taking care of your scalp pays off in the form of healthy,
beautiful hair.
Avoid Irritating IngredientsAny ingredient that dries out your skin will make an itchy
scalp worse. Fatty alcohols are moisturizing, and can be
identified by terms like stearyl, cetyl, and myristyl. The
other alcohols are drying � for example, alcohol denat
(denatured), ethanol, propanol, and isopropyl alcohol. You
should check ingredients lists and avoid hair products that
contain the drying alcohols.
Also, be mindful of menthol, an alcohol that has the
cooling properties of peppermint � while it may invigorate
normal scalps, it can provoke itching in sensitive scalps.
Salicylic acid is often included in products to treat
flaking scalps, but it should not be used more than once a
week because it can cause irritation instead of gentle
exfoliation.
Don't Skip ShampooingThe growing trend of skipping washes to keep hair naturally
hydrated is not only misguided but can do more damage than good. Thorough cleansing is critical for a healthy scalp; imagine how your face would look if you only washed it once a week. You should wash your scalp at least every two to three days for optimal health.
As for the claim that regular washing strips the scalp of
essential oils, proper cleansing removes dirt, grime, and
pollutants from hair � not moisture. Shampoos that are
sulfate-free offer a gentler cleansing than harsh,
detergent-containing ones. Also, look for silk and wheat
proteins in ingredients lists � they're among the best
additives to help your hair retain moisture and stay
manageable.
Make Massage a HabitScalp massage promotes blood circulation, which stimulates
hair follicles to produce thicker, more lustrous hair
growth. Make it part of your shampoo routine. After
applying shampoo, gently massage your fingertips over your
scalp in a gentle kneading motion for about 30 seconds.
If your scalp is dry, consider a prewash massage with
nurturing oils. Choose antioxidant-rich argan oil,
grapeseed oil, or naturally antibacterial and soothing
lavender oil. Before shampooing, work a few drops of oil
into your scalp by slowly massaging with the pads of your
fingers for a few minutes.
Feed Your ScalpLike any other part of the body, your hair and scalp
thrive when fed rich nutrients. Olive oil, which is rich
in fatty acids, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, is one
of the most hydrating ingredients to look for in hair
care products. Olive oil softens scaling and moisturizes
the scalp, creating conditions for optimum hair growth.
Vitamin E, which has been shown to improve scalp
circulation, resulting in the stimulation of hair growth,
is another effective ingredient.
Find the Best BrushA brush can do more damage than a hair dryer if used
incorrectly and too vigorously. Choose a brush made of
soft, pliable plastic because plastic is far smoother and
is kinder to hair than abrasive boar bristles and natural
bristles. And look for a brush whose bristles are ball-
tipped. Natural bristles are typically barbed at the ends
and tightly packed which can cause unnecessary trauma to
hair.
Vented brushes allow for smoother brushing and more even
heat dispersion during blow-drying, allowing hair to dry
faster and without "hot spots" that can burn the scalp and
hair. Brush your hair lightly, and if possible, use a wide-
toothed comb � the gentlest option of all. You can also
look for the new generation of plastic combs at the
drugstore; infused with hydrators like macadamia nut oil,
they're particularly useful if your hair and scalp are dry
and you�re prone to static and flyaways.
Use Sun ShieldsThe sun's dangerous UV rays are no friend to your skin �
and that includes your scalp. Prolonged sun exposure can
burn your scalp and cause itching from dehydration.
Repeated exposure can dry out your hair and making it feel
and look brittle, aging it the way sun exposure ages skin �
giving it a coarser, dryer texture. Most importantly, you
also need to guard against skin cancer � dangerous scalp
moles often escape notice until it�s too late. If you part
your hair while in the sun, apply a waxy sunscreen stick
or SPF lip balm to your part for protection.
Ask your dermatologist to check your scalp during your
annual skin examinations, and always ask your hairstylist
to alert you to any unusual-looking spots on your scalp
when you visit salon.